Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of May 14

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Do not adjust your sets, as Myers is suddenly playing third base on occasion, while continuing to slaughter Texas League pitching to the tune of .346/.419/.746 in 34 games. It's an interesting attempt to increase Myers' value; with a good amount of athleticism and a plus arm, he has the tools to make it work, not that it always does (see: Braun, Ryan). The move has created a whirlwind of response on Twitter, but this is not a statement about the future of Mike Moustakas nor even Myers, it's just something to give a spin during a player's development, because if you have a chance to move a player the right way on the defensive spectrum, you at least try it.

Corey Dickerson, OF, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 2-for-5, 2B, HR (6), R, 2 RBI. Fourth-straight two-hit game with three doubles a triple and two home runs over that span; .357/.407/.630 in 38 games.

Sean Gilmartin, LHP, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K. Has gone at least six innings in every start this year, and being consistent is a big part of his value.

Alen Hanson, SS, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, BB. Flirting with .400 is over after 6-for-37 slump; still at .359/.400/.608 in 36 games.

Junior Lake, SS/3B, Cubs (Double-A Tennesee): 2-for-2, 2B, HR (1), 4 R, 3 RBI, SB; 1-for-4, K, CS. Has been outstanding at the plate in eight games (.296/.457/.556), but not so much in the field (5 errors).

Jared Mitchell, OF, White Sox (Double-A Birmingham): 2-for-4, 3B, HR (2), 2 R, RBI, K. First multi-hit game in nearly three weeks, but still hitting .273/.388/.484 in 37 games in what has been nice bounce back year.

Kevin,
On the reasoning behind Myers' work at 3B - is your assertion that is it is an attempt to incrrase value with a move up the defensive spewctrum based on what you have heard from scouts, Royals folks and the like or based on your experiences with similar moves?
Thanks for these daily pieces - they are appointment reading.
-Chris

I still don't get all the consternation over Myers playing 3B - he played there quite a bit as a high schooler, and where is the harm in versatility? If he can play some infield as well as outfield, isn't that a good thing?

Actually, when there was talk of "not a catcher" a couple of years back, my thought was that 3B would be a good fit for him. You don't worry about what is above a prospect in the organization as those things tend to work themselves out, and an outfield move could always be made later.

Really curious on what the plan is for Myers. I imagine we'll see him in KC in the next couple months, but where? The infield and outfield corners appear very locked down, as is the DH slot with Butler. I guess CF is a possibility, though for now, Jarrod Dyson is playing well there.

I'd really start to get excited if I saw "Wil Myers2B 5 3 2 4" in a box score.

What do you foresee the Mets doing with Jennry Mejia? Dan Warthen says he sees him as a future reliever, but is he basing that mostly on body type and mechanics? It seems that Mejia has the repertoire to start..

If/when moved to the 'pen, would Mejia scrap one of his offspeed pitches? His problem, it seemed, when he pitched in the majors in 2010, was that he threw fastballs almost exclusively. He didn't miss any bats. Can/will he be able to maintain a fastball/change-up/curveball mix in relief?

Read today -- on a not always reliable source -- where he'd be re-evaulated after two more rehab starts with an eye toward replacing Batista in five-slot. Probably speculation, but, y'know, who else do they have?

Kevin, is Sandy Leon any kind of prospect? While the sprained ankle in his first MLB game is a drag, at least he'll make $150,000 or so getting the minimum while on the DL, right? That's a bit of a salve.

All of the above have been putting together nice seasons so far. Smith had that 13 K game, and he's still striking out more than one batter per inning. Eaton, is, well, Eaton, and hasn't hit under .300 at any level. Ortega has hit at every level as well, at at 21 seems to be progressing nicely at high-A (I have seen you cover him once or twice this year), Marte was once considered a top future prospect for the Mets, but after his splendid 2008 rookie campaign, he's essentially done nothing over three seasons, until now. 21 at AA, how does he project? Noonan is having a comeback season, is it for real, and yes, 1B caveats on Malm but his progress has to be seen as incrementally solid, right?